PSV Eindhoven’s Malik Tillman has quickly become one of the most exciting young prospects in European football this season.
Why this is the case was apparent for everyone in the midweek, as his brace-scoring heroics helped his side secure a late, late comeback win at home in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk, despite having been 2-0 down until the 85th minute.
The US international’s midweek performance was by no means a one-off, rather an encapsulation of his well-rounded performances that have been present throughout the season thus far and helped his team establish a five-point lead at the top of Eredivisie.
The 22-year-old has just a €300k-per-year contract at PSV, which runs for three more seasons after the current one, which has made the €25m-rated midfielder an even more sought-after prospect for the European heavyweights, one of which are Tottenham.
With the Lilywhites’ interest in Tillman, it is being speculated whether the club would need to make room for him by showing one of their players the exit door, and a non-insignificant amount of voices have been pointing to Pape Matar Sarr to be the one to get the axe.
Now, there indeed are players on Tottenham’s payroll for whose exit one can make a case, but Sarr is one player who, even if Tillman wasn’t in the picture, should not be considered for an exit.
A crucial thing to keep in mind here is Tillman’s versatility this season. Having started his senior career as a central midfielder, he has begun showing his abilities not just deeper in midfield but also on the flanks. He is showing an affinity towards the left flank, which he is able to dominate both as a left-winger and a left-sided central midfielder. His 12 goal contributions from 19 appearances across all competitions this season showcase his prowess in front of goal.
On the other hand, while no less exciting a prospect, Sarr has a more definite profile—someone who primarily occupies the defensive positions, and for Ange Postecoglou he has been playing either as a deep-lying midfielder or as an out-and-out number eight, with the modern-day nature of fluid football dynamics requiring him to often perform both these roles within the same game. His five goal contributions from 19 appearances this season also showcase his ability to contribute to the final third of the pitch despite playing deep in midfield.
Sarr primarily occupies central midfield roles, performing deep-lying and box-to-box duties, while Tillman has shown himself to not just be an adept attacking midfielder in the central areas but also out wide.
Apart from industry, Postecoglou likes versatility in his players because it allows him to get multiple roles out of them and get cover for more than one position. In particular, he likes an attacker who can play both centrally and out wide, which Tillman has been demonstrating he’s more than able to do. Sarr and Tillman are two profiles that could actually work together in a midfield, either side by side as complementary eights supported by a six sitting behind them or with Sarr pairing Tillman in a pivot, being the one staying behind more than the other.
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The Senegalese does not need to be sacrificed for the American, and the two in fact have the potential to become a threatening midfield duo under the Australian manager.
